St. Louis City vs Real Salt Lake preview

United States flag 2026 Major League Soccer, United States
Energizer Park Sun, 2 Aug - 12:30 AM
Major League Soccer
St. Louis CityLOU
1 – 1
Real Salt LakeRSL
Full Time Sun, 2 Aug 12:30 AM
Regular Season
Goal
|
Goal
Sergi Solans - 60'

CONTEXT

St. Louis City and Real Salt Lake played to a 1-1 draw with both teams level at 0-0 after the first half. St. Louis City recorded 67 percent possession against Real Salt Lake's 33 percent. Expected goals stood at 1.57 for the home side and 0.96 for the visitors. Real Salt Lake entered as the stronger team yet the outcome produced a shared result. No red cards were shown to either side. The second half produced one goal for each team after a scoreless opening period. The result showed inconsistency with the xG distribution while aligning with pre-match positioning for the sides involved.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Real Salt Lake showed significant structural deviation from the expected match outcome.
  • Efficiency shift: Efficiency shift remained in line with team performance metrics.
  • xG alignment: Outcome proved inconsistent with xG as St. Louis City held the higher total.
  • Market alignment: Result stayed aligned with pre-match positioning for both teams.
  • xG expectations: St. Louis City posted 1.57 xG against Real Salt Lake's 0.96.
  • Event impact: No major events shifted the 1-1 draw beyond standard play.
  • Red card distortion: Zero red cards produced no distortion in the final result.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
C. Penso
C. Penso
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
M. Mullen
M. Mullen
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
M. Nickerson
M. Nickerson
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
L. Rodriguez
L. Rodriguez
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
St. Louis City Y. Damet
Y. Damet
VS
Real Salt Lake P. Mastroeni
P. Mastroeni
1.47
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.63
2.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Colorado Rapids Rank: 62 W
LA Galaxy Rank: 61 W
Sporting KC Rank: 51 W
Austin Rank: 60 W
DC United Rank: 59 D
Los Angeles FC Rank: 74 W
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Portland Timbers Rank: 62 L
Los Angeles FC Rank: 71 L
Minnesota United Rank: 67 D
Colorado Rapids Rank: 64 W
Houston Dynamo Rank: 66 W
Dallas Rank: 68 L
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 2 - 2
2

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
65.66
65.73
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
St. Louis City
Real Salt Lake
Power Score
65.66
65.73
League Position
7
6
Global Rank
439
432

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
St. Louis City — Opponent-weighted form score
Real Salt Lake — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) St. Louis City Real Salt Lake

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

St. Louis City

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Real Salt Lake

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

St. Louis City ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Real Salt Lake
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
4.48
0.91
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
0.91
4.48
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
St. Louis City +0.25 Efficiency Index
vs
Real Salt Lake -0.25 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
St. Louis City
Real Salt Lake
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

St. Louis City
vs
Real Salt Lake
Created Set-piece attacking threat
St. Louis City Real Salt Lake
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
12%
70%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.20 vs -0.67
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
St. Louis City Real Salt Lake
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
70%
12%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.67 vs -0.20
St. Louis City
Real Salt Lake
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
St. Louis City
vs
Real Salt Lake
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
St. Louis City Real Salt Lake
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
St. Louis City 0.21
Real Salt Lake 0.33
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
St. Louis City Real Salt Lake
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
St. Louis City 0.04
Real Salt Lake 0.01
St. Louis City
Real Salt Lake
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • RSL had peak pressure around 64'.
  • LOU started the game with stronger pressure.
LOU Pressure RSL Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: RSL reached the top pressure at 64' (97.52).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

St. Louis City LOU Home
4 matches
Real Salt Lake RSL Away
Match Record
0
Wins
2
2
Draws
2
2
Losses
0
Goals
6
Goals Scored
9
9
Goals Conceded
6
-3
Goal Difference
+3
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-03T00:00:37+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 3-4-2-1
Match Formation 3-4-1-2
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 02, 2026, 12:30 AM
Competition
2026 Major League Soccer, United States · Regular Season
Stadium
Energizer Park
Capacity
25000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Chris Penso
Meghan Mullen
Michael Nickerson
Laura Rodriguez

Statistics

Possession
LOU
65%
RSL
35%

Top Statistics

1 Goals 1
2 Big Chances Created 1
6 Shots 2
94 Dangerous attacks 27
67 Possession 33
9 Corners 4
10 Free kicks 12
3 Yellow Cards 3

Match Overview

55 Ball Safe 60
1 Goal Kicks 10
11 Goal Attempts 3
3 Substitutions 5
15 Throwins 10
21 Successful Headers 17
0 Assists 1
0 Injuries 1
20 Dribble Attempts 12
12 Successful Dribbles 6
60 Successful Dribbles Percentage 50

Attacking

168 Attacks 55
1 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

33 Long Passes 28
658 Passes 320
581 Successful Passes 252
88 Successful Passes Percentage 79
15 Key Passes 7
16 Successful Long Passes 12
48 Successful Long Passes Percentage 43

Defensive

2 Saves 3
11 Tackles 14
7 Interceptions 9
54 Duels Won 45

Build-up

31 Total Crosses 12
4 Accurate Crosses 3

Discipline

2 Offsides 1
12 Fouls 10

Lineup

Referee : Chris Penso

Starting XI ▼

1
Roman Bürki
Roman Bürki (C) Goalkeeper
6.56
5
Lukas MacNaughton
Lukas MacNaughton Defender
7.5
21
Dante Polvara
Dante Polvara Defender
6.81
32
Timo Baumgartl
Timo Baumgartl Defender
7.13
6
Conrad Wallem
Conrad Wallem Midfielder
7.47
8
Chris Durkin
Chris Durkin Midfielder
7.02
23
Alexandru Mățan
Alexandru Mățan
Midfielder65'
7.02
14
Tomas Totland
Tomas Totland Midfielder
6.94
24
Daniel Ethan Edelman
Daniel Ethan Edelman Midfielder
7
10
Eduard Löwen
Eduard Löwen Attacker
7.22
17
Marcel Hartel
Marcel Hartel
Midfielder65'
7.86
11
Simon Becher
Simon Becher Attacker
6.85
29
Palmer Ault
Palmer Ault
Midfielder90+2'
77
Sang-bin Jeong
Sang-bin Jeong Attacker
6.41
7
Tomas Ostrák
Tomas Ostrák
Midfielder84'
6.5
Referee : Chris Penso

Starting XI ▼

1
Rafael Cabral
Rafael Cabral (C) Goalkeeper
6.17
2
DeAndre Yedlin
DeAndre Yedlin Defender
7.2
26
Philip Quinton
Philip Quinton Defender
6.78
29
Sam Junqua
Sam Junqua Defender
7.28
8
Juan Manuel Sanabria
Juan Manuel Sanabria Midfielder
6.76
23
Zach Booth
Zach Booth Midfielder
6.61
11
Dominik Marczuk
Dominik Marczuk
Attacker90+1'
27
Griffin Dillon
Griffin Dillon Midfielder
6.8
6
Stijn Spierings
Stijn Spierings
Midfielder45+1'
6.92
92
Noel Caliskan
Noel Caliskan Midfielder
6.77
10
Diego Luna
Diego Luna Attacker
6.43
17
Victor Olatunji
Victor Olatunji
Attacker78'
6.55
22
Sergi Solans
Sergi Solans Attacker
7.01
39
Aiden Hezarkhani
Aiden Hezarkhani
Attacker90+1'
70
Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos
Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos Attacker
6.66
12
Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze
Midfielder46'
7.52

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Palmer Ault → Simon Becher
9th Substitution
90+2'
90+1'
Event
Aiden Hezarkhani  → Sergi Solans
7th Substitution
90+1'
Event
Dominik Marczuk → Zach Booth
8th Substitution
Event
Tomas Ostrák → Sang-bin Jeong
6th Substitution
84'
Event
Sang-bin Jeong
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
80'
78'
Event
Victor Olatunji → Diego Luna
5th Substitution
Event
Marcel Hartel
Right foot shot / 2nd Goal
72'
Event
Marcel Hartel → Eduard Löwen
3rd Substitution
65'
Event
Alexandru Mățan → Chris Durkin
4th Substitution
65'
60'
Event
Sergi Solans
Left foot shot / 1st Goal
46'
Event
Saba Lobjanidze → Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos
2nd Substitution
1ST-HALF
45+1'
Event
Stijn Spierings → Griffin Dillon
1st Substitution
Event
Chris Durkin
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
43'
40'
Event
DeAndre Yedlin
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
29'
Event
Philip Quinton
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Eduard Löwen
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
28'
5'
Event
Zach Booth
Foul / 1st Yellowcard

Match Commentary

90
Update Update
Palmer Ault replaces Simon Becher.
90
Update Update
Match ends with a score of 1-1.
90
Update Update
Dominik Marczuk comes on for Zach Booth.
90
Update Update
Aiden Hezarkhani comes on for Sergi Solans.
90
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
89
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
86
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
85
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Substitution Substitution
Substitution: Tomas Ostrak comes on for Jeong Sang Bin.
83
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel attempts a header but misses the shot.
82
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel attempts a header but misses the shot.
82
Update Update
Offside.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
81
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
81
Attempt Attempt
Saba Lobjanidze's right-footed shot is saved.
81
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
80
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Jeong Sang Bin receives a yellow card.
79
Update Update
Victor Olatunji replaces Diego Luna.
79
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
76
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
76
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
76
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
74
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
74
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
74
Attempt Attempt
Marcel Hartel takes a shot with his right foot, but it's saved.
74
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
73
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Marcel Hartel scores, making it 1-1.
72
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
72
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Marcel Hartel scores, bringing the match to 1-1.
72
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
71
Attempt Attempt
Simon Becher takes a left-footed shot, but it's blocked.
70
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
70
Attempt Attempt
Shot by Alexandru Irinel Matan with his right foot, but it misses the target.
68
Attempt Attempt
Simon Becher takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
66
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
65
Update Update
Alexandru Irinel Matan comes on for Chris Durkin.
65
Update Update
On Marcel Hartel, off Eduard Lowen.
60
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Sergi Solans scores with a left-footed shot.
60
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Sergi Solans scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Saba Lobjanidze.
58
Attempt Attempt
Stijn Spierings takes a header shot but misses.
58
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
55
Attempt Attempt
Sam Junqua takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
55
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
54
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
51
Attempt Attempt
Conrad Wallem takes a left-footed shot but misses.
46
Update Update
On Saba Lobjanidze, off Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos.
45
Substitution Substitution
Stijn Spierings is substituted off for Griffin Dillon.
43
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
42
Attempt Attempt
Simon Becher takes a left-footed shot but misses.
41
Attempt Attempt
Eduard Lowen takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
40
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued.
39
Attempt Attempt
Chris Durkin takes a right-footed shot but misses.
38
Attempt Attempt
Chris Durkin takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
37
Attempt Attempt
Conrad Wallem takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
34
Update Update
Offside.
29
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Philip Quinton.
28
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Eduard Lowen receives a yellow card.
18
Attempt Attempt
Conrad Wallem takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
16
Attempt Attempt
Eduard Lowen takes a right-footed shot but misses.
6
Update Update
Offside.
6
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Zach Booth receives a yellow card.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Chris Penso.

CONCLUSION

The 1-1 draw reflected a balanced second half after an even opening period where possession heavily favored St. Louis City. Higher xG for the home side did not translate into a victory as Real Salt Lake secured the equalizer. Absence of red cards kept the contest free from disciplinary effects. The stronger team designation for Real Salt Lake aligned with the shared points despite lower possession and xG figures. Second half adjustments produced the necessary goals for each side to finish level. Overall the match highlighted how xG differentials can diverge from actual results when efficiency patterns hold steady across both teams.